Meat Porters Sculpture is a Grade II listed building in the Harlow local planning authority area, England. First listed on 15 April 1998. Sculpture.

Meat Porters Sculpture

WRENN ID
lost-keystone-moon
Grade
II
Local Planning Authority
Harlow
Constituency
Harlow MP: Chris Vince (Lab)
Country
England
Date first listed
15 April 1998
Type
Sculpture
Address
Meat Porters Sculpture, Market Square
OS grid reference
TL 445 101
Coordinates
51.77099, 0.09373
Source
Historic England listing

Also on this page: flood risk · radon risk · weather exposure · detailed attributes ↓

Description

The Meat Porters sculpture, created between 1956 and 1960 by sculptor Ralph Brown for the Harlow Arts Trust, is a notable piece of art located in Harlow Market Square. Made of bronze from a clay model, the sculpture stands over seven feet high on a tall plinth. It features two figures who appear to emerge from a large carcass they are attempting to carry. The dynamic diagonals of the carcass convey energy, contrasting with the heaviness and somber emotion of the men. Although the figures are less than lifesize, this adds to their sense of fragility. This work was inspired by Brown's first visit to the market and reflects an old East-End industry, serving as a reminder of the origins of many Harlow residents. It is considered one of the finest pieces commissioned by the Harlow Arts Trust, which was established in 1953 and has created a unique collection of public sculpture in any English New Town.

Local climate

Meat Porters Sculpture sits in one of the driest parts of the UK, with an average of 700 mm of rain a year. This makes it drier than 92% of listed buildings in the UK. Its exposure to wind-driven rain is lower than that of 89% of listed buildings.

It experiences an average of 34 freeze-thaw cycles a year, more than 50% of listed buildings. Of these, 17 follow at least 1 mm of rain in the preceding 48 hours. Average temperatures at this location have risen by 0.3°C per decade since 1991.

Averages for 1991–2020; temperature trend 1991–2025. Figures describe the wider area (a grid cell of roughly 10 km), not the individual site. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026.

More on this building

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